Turning away from the altar to the right we found the way clear, and with a sigh of relief I drew Mistress Lucy reluctantly on. She clung to me and was so frightened that I finally slipped my arm about her waist, whereat she made no objection. She has confessed since that she was indeed greatly pleased and that it was a comfort to her to feel the strength and power of my grasp.
Holding the lantern before me, I cautiously proceeded further into the cave toward the inner wall. The cave wall apparently opened out into rooms. I did not dare go any distance from the main entrance for fear that I should lose my way, so I stopped undecided what to do; which opening to enter, that is.
“Oh, let us go back,� begged my mistress, “there is no treasure here, I am sure.�
“Nay,� I answered, “with your permission, Mistress Wilberforce, I intend to explore further into the matter. Let us see.� I held the lantern high above my head as I spoke. There above the entrance I saw a rude Latin cross! “Look,� I continued, “someone has been here, ’tis the sign of the cross!�
“Yes,� she said, her hopes reviving and her spirits returning a little at the unwonted sight of that sacred symbol of our faith in this place of idolatry and superstition, “don’t you remember on the map marking the position of the cave there was a little cross?�
“So there was,� I exclaimed, “although the reading did not mention it.�
“No, but it is there, nevertheless.�
I stooped down—the entrance was scarcely three feet high but quite broad—and made to go through.
“Wait!� She seized me in great alarm. “You cannot go in there and leave me here,� she cried.
“I promise you that I will not stir three feet from the entrance, if you will suffer me that far,� I answered.